Fireman's Drinking Fountain
Why it's listed
This public drinking fountain stands in the centre of Slatington on Main Street, a twelve-foot monument built around a seven-foot, three-inch zinc statue of a volunteer fireman holding a child in one arm and a lantern in the other. The statue was purchased from the J. W. Fiske Iron Works of New York, and the base, which contains a drinking fountain, a horse trough and a dog basin, came from a Detroit supplier. Hose Company No. 1 erected the fountain in 1909 and dedicated it in 1910, funded by donations from many local residents. Its four purposes were to serve people, horses and dogs, and to symbolize volunteer service and vigilance. Unlike many fireman memorials, it honors living firefighters rather than the dead. An automobile toppled the statue in 1979, severing its head, and a regional fundraising effort restored it without tax money. It was rededicated in July 1980.
Significance in brief: The monument honors living volunteer firefighters rather than the dead, and symbolizes the volunteer spirit of fire companies and ambulance corps in Slatington and the Northern Lehigh Area. It also served as a public water source on Main Street. The community-funded restoration after the 1979 damage is cited as evidence of its continuing importance to the town.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 81000551, listed November 9, 1981. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Main St., Slatington |
|---|---|
| County | Lehigh County |
| Listed | November 9, 1981 |
| Reference number | 81000551 |
| Resource type | Object |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Areas of significance | Art |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored after being struck by an automobile in 1979 and rededicated on July 19, 1980; the lantern is illuminated at night. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 40.75185, -75.61300 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 81000551.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5451890
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.